New Ulm weekly review., 1887-11-23

little baby" she murmured, poor
little mot herlsss thing!"
With deadly fear clutching at his
heart he passed her and went into
his wife room. A rigid form lay on
the bed, covered with a sheet; but
even as be sank on his knees with
bitter groan soft voice seemed to
whisper i'll his ear, "She is not gone;
she is given back to you. This is only
what might have been.''
''Thank Godp' he fsrvently exclaim-
ed; and suddenly the vision faded.
1t faded, but gave place to another.
He stood at the gate watching his
eldest boy training his favorite colt.
The pretty creature was full of life and
spirit, but Willie was a good rider and
kept his seat easily. Up and down
the road they went several times, but
at last, just as they were passing the
gate, q hunter concealed by the wiz
lows in the creek unexpectedly fred
his gun.
The frightened colt gave a leap to
one side, and the boy was thrown.
Had his head come IN contact with
the gate post? The father sprang to
raise him with dread he could not
have expressed; but the boy looked
up in his face with brave attempt to
smile. Don't be frightened, father;
IFS only broken leg. and that will
mend: my neck Wouldn't And agein,
as he lifted the lad in his arms, be
! whispered, 'oThank Goo!" And now it
| was midnight: he stood upon the hill
overlooking his home; all was stif1;
the inmates of the house were locked
in slumber. Suddenly a bright light
| flashed from one of the windows, and
! in another moment he could see the
curling flames filling all the rooms.
He tried to shout, but his voice died
in his throat; his feet were rooted to
the spot; he could not move. With
| unutterable horror he saw the Gro
stealing from floor to roof; yet the
sleepers did not awake. His wife and
| children-must he see them perish be-
fore his eyes? With a mighty effort he
broke the spall that bound him, ut
tering cry OF agony, and at thesame
instant his wife's hand was Laid upon
his arm. John! John! what is the
| matter?"
| "Nothing," he answered, with a
| deep sigh Of relief. at was only q
dream. Thank God it was only q
| dream"
After that he slept no more. The
words he had spoken three times
echoed in his heart. '"Thank Godl
thank Godp' Had he anything to be
thankful for?
"Harriet." It was not the in1pera-
tive tone in which he sometimes spoke
when she overslept herself in the morn
ing. It was more like the voice of one
who years ago had never uttered her
name but in tones of tenderness. She
was awake in a moment.
| "1s it time to get up2"
"No, not yet; but have something
to say to you. think made mis-
take this morning, dear. We will
Thanksgiving, as you suggested"
"Oh, john, ana SO glad!'
The unmistakable tremor in her
voice smote him to the heart.
| because" now she had con-
quered the momentary emotion and
spoke lightly enough; because Inever
was spoiled child. Twas taught to
take yes or mo- for an answer, with
out teasing. and Ihave never lost the
habit"
Il don't think you have. But now
make all your arrangements, and
your programme shall be faithfully
carried out"
If the men were susprised when
they were told there was to beno work
done on Thursday theydid not say SO,
and they readily agreed to Mrs. Ak
ems conditions that they should eat
their Thanksgiving dinner and spend
the evening with her.
It was a day to belong ngremembered.
for nom it's dawn to it's close every.
thing went right. Such cloudless sky,
such a glorious sunshine. The drive
to the neighboring village was delight
full, for the large double.sea ted wagon
was brought out, and the whole house
hold went to church, to Join in the
service of praise and thanksgiving
there.
Whether it was the late hour, or the
previous drive, or whatever may have
been the cause, never was dinner
p more complete success; from
the splendid turkey to the
mince pies every thing was pro-
nounced delicious. And when evening
came merry party gathared in the
parlOrs. There were games and songs
in which the children took part; there
were illustrated books and masaz,nes
to be looked over. Mr.. Aiken read q
short but beautiful and touching
story; his wife played and sang un.
weariedly, and when tho happy circle
at last broke up there was pleasant
surprise for the little woman to whom
the day HAD been SO fuil Of content.
| Jim had worked for Mr.. Aiken for
more than q year, and no one had
heard him speak an unnecessary
word; he was faithful worker, and
that was all; if he had a heart he had
always kept it out OF sights. But now
he came up to Mrs. Aiken and held
out his hand.
Good night, naa'am he" said
"and thank yeu very nauch. This is
the first Thanksgiving I've had since
came to CaEfornia, and that is ten